{Y/N'S POV:}

I woke from the sunlight shining down on my face, blinding me as I sleepily attempted to open them. Yawning, I stretched my arms out across the silken bedsheets with golden light spilled over it, wiping my eyes to try and clear them so I could see again without anything obscuring them. I stared out at the window, listening to the birds chirp their symphony of melodies and soar around the trees, the clouds floating by above like blankets of cotton in the sky.

Shifting a little, I pull the sheets back over my body to shield it from the biting cold that always lingered in my palace early in the mornings. As I pulled the silk over my bare arms, I felt another arm gently wrap itself around me, squeezing my shoulder lovingly.

Angling my head to face behind me, I smiled at the sleepy looking Anakin laying beside me. He returned the smile and gently placed a kiss in my hair, pulling me into his embrace.

"Good morning, my love," he said to me, his voice still raspy from sleep and sounding a little tired.

I lay my head on his chest and looked up at his face, examining the slight black circles under his blue eyes, "Did you not sleep well, Anakin?" I asked him in a soft voice, reaching my hand up to place it on the side of his cheek. 

He offered me a half smile, examining my face with incredible intent before letting out a sigh and placing yet another kiss on my forehead, "It's a beautiful morning; don't you think, Princess?"

Did he just avoid my question?

Shrugging it off, I lay back down and faced back to the window, "It's the first completely peaceful morning I've had in months... I'm so glad you're back with me at last. I was so worried you'd been killed when you were away," I whispered back to him. He said nothing in response, apart from squeezing my shoulder gently once more.

"I could never leave you, (y/n); you know that... and I will never let anything happen to you. After all, I still haven't been relieved as your protector," he joked, making us both let out an amused chuckle.

"Isn't it a little too early for your cocky remarks, Skywalker?" I laughed, elbowing him gently and playfully. I propped myself up on my pillow with my elbow, staring into his eyes as he pretended as though I had severely wounded him.

Once he had stopped acting like a fool, he smiled and ran his fingers gently through my hair as his eyes looked into mine, the sunlight illuminating his in a honey golden hue mixed with the ocean blue of his irises, "You know you can never filter me, your majesty. No matter what time it is."

Rolling my eyes, I leaned forward and allowed him to cup my face in his hand as I kissed him gently on his lips. He seemed almost offended as I pulled away, shoving off the silk sheets encasing my body and rolling out of the bed to change. I laughed as I watched him seize my pillow and slam it over his face in frustration, groaning as one arm feebly reached out in my direction.

"You do realize that even though you're here, I'm still the Queen of a whole system with duties and responsibilities to attend to? I can't stay in there with you all day, Anakin. Plus, Obi-Wan is arriving today and I'm one hundred percent sure you don't want him to catch you laying in my bed," I raise my eyebrow at him and smirk as I run my hairbrush through my impossibly tangled (y/h/c) hair.

Anakin almost shot out of the bed at the mention of Obi-Wan arriving, pulling on his robe to cover his chest. He traipsed his way over to me in front of the mirror, wrapping his arms around me tightly and kissing my neck gently. I stared at our reflection as we stood together.

We looked so good together.

And all good things must come to an end...

I'd forgotten about the voice. It seemed to have disappeared in Anakin's absence, and only now returned to destroy my happiness once more. But for now, I was determined to not to let it ruin the few perfect moments I will have with Anakin before it is time for him to leave again... which is a daunting and scary thought in itself. Selfishly, I always have that feeling deep inside me that never wants him to leave my side. His presence was the thing that made this huge palace actually feel almost like a home; which is quite honestly not something I have felt for so long.

Anakin smiled into the crook of my neck, squeezed me tightly and backed away into my dressing room attached onto my bedroom. I continued to brush my hair in front of the mirror before quickly taking the opportunity to step into another one of my green ballgowns which my handmaiden, Raya, had kindly laid out for me the night before. Around 5 minutes later, Anakin emerged from the dressing room fully dressed in his Jedi robes, smiling at me as I positioned my crown upon my hair.

"You clean up nicely, your majesty," he smirked, placing his hand on my waist and kissing my cheek gently. "So, what's on your itinerary for today?"

"Well, I have to meet with Senator Strestar regarding her going to Coruscant for a week or so to represent Solaris in a case concerning Alderaan.. then I have a few civilians from Vis coming to meet me about some issues in the city that I'll have to find a solution to. After that is a brief lunch with Devica before finally permitting the recruitment of a few more cleaners, reviewing a few expired decrees and... I think that's it. I should be done by sundown I think," I said, exhaling in frustration at the thought of my busy day before me.

I watched Anakin zone out slightly for a moment as though he was seemingly deep in thought, making me snap my fingers in front of his eyes to snap him back into reality. He jumped a little, his smile returning to his bewildered face as he looked into my eyes. "That sounds rather hectic... but nothing you cannot handle, my love. No one does or cares as much for Solaris than you. The Solarians truly have a beautiful and gracious ruler protecting and watching over them."

I felt a red hot blush spread across my cheeks, grabbing Anakin's arm and pulling it over my shoulders so I could give him a hug. He held me closely and securely in his embrace, resting his chin gently on the back of my head. "I love you, Ani," I whispered to him quietly, not wishing to disturb this blissful moment.

"I love you too, my Princess," he whispered back, placing a kiss on my hair.

I squeezed Anakin quickly and pushed him away as I heard a knock sound on the door. I rushed over to the door quickly, straightening out my skirt before opening it a little to firstly examine who it was before fully opening the door. As I peered through the slightly open door, I come face to face with the perky and cheerful face of Ahsoka before me. Smiling, I open the door fully and give her a small hug to greet her.

"Good morning, 'Soka. How can I help you?"

"I came to see if Anakin was here... and if he was: if he was dressed and ready to go and greet Obi-Wan. His ship is due to arrive in around 30 minutes," she said, peering her head past me to see into my bedroom and probably spotting him loitering awkwardly by my mirror.

"Perfect timing, actually! I was just about to leave to get on with my duties... Anakin can go with you now. I'll see you both later," I said, smiling warmly at Ahsoka. I turned my head to meet Anakin, silently mouthing 'I love you' to him before getting on with my day.

As I made my way down the corridor, I could still hear the muffled voices of Anakin and Ahsoka conversing in my room after I left. I couldn't help but overhear Anakin instructing Ahsoka to wait for a moment as he apparently 'had to do something first', but I shrugged it off as nothing and continued on my way down to the throne room.

***

Around hour before sundown, I found myself back at my bedroom after a long, frustrating and busy day. Although that the role is undeniably gratifying, being Queen sure isn't half difficult and infuriating sometimes. Luckily, I had managed to get all of my itinerary for today completed which did bring me some relief. I was informed by Devica at our lunch that Obi-Wan had arrived at the palace safely, as she decided to go down with Ahsoka and Anakin to welcome him back. I wish I could've been there also; but alas, I am Queen and my system relies on me.

Once I had finally reached my room, I was disappointed when I discovered that Anakin was not in there waiting for me. I walked into an empty room, the sun shining onto my bed as it began to set behind Vis in the distance. As I took my crown off of my head and placed it on my bedside table, I suddenly noticed a small, folded slip of paper placed in the centre of my mattress.

Reaching over, I sat on the side of the bed and took the paper in my hands, slipping it through my fingers so I could open it. Once it was open, I carefully examined the words written down on the paper.

My Princess,

Meet me at the hills at sunset; I'll be waiting for you under the willow tree.

- A.S.

Sunset? The hills? What could he possibly be doing there? Sunset is in an hour... if I am going to make it then I need to leave now.

I managed to sneak out of the palace easily enough without being recognized, making it easier by changing into a less voluminous dress that was easier to manoeuvre in. It took me around half an hour to get down into Vis, and another 15 minutes to reach the outskirts. I found myself standing at the bottom of the hill where the willow tree was, panicked by the sun which was rapidly starting to set. Without even stopping to take a breath, I forced myself up to the top of the hill.

As I reached the top, I stopped for a moment to regain my breath, looking out at the city which was almost illuminated in the most beautiful golden sunlight. I turned around to face the willow tree and found my handsome Jedi protector standing beneath its swaying flowered branches, petals drifting around him in the breeze.

It took me a moment to get myself to walk over to him, as I was cruelly reminded of the events which took place here a few months ago. The image of my brother and Ventress was vividly engrained in my memory, haunting me with every breeze of the wind that hit my shoulders.

No. It's time to move on.

The smiling face of Anakin was the thing that triggered my feet to subconsciously begin to move towards him... I don't know what it was. It was like we were magnets, almost pulling me towards him. Two halves of a whole which belonged together. I traipsed across the blades of green grass which were painted in the sunlight, the breeze blowing my hair gently as I walked. Anakin outstretched his arms to me and I automatically walked into his embrace, feeling comfort as they wrapped around me.

"It's a breath-taking view, isn't it?" he said softly, gently turning me so my back was facing him and I was once again met with the gorgeous scenery which was my beloved system. The sun began to hide behind us, shining and hitting every point of the view before me perfectly, even illuminating my palace in the distance.

"It truly is beautiful... sometimes I forget about this place," I admit as Anakin gently grasped onto my shoulders, my eyes fixating on the view before me. I was so lost in the scene that I didn't even feel Anakin's hands leave my shoulders or how his body had stepped backwards a little.

Wanting to take a look at his face, I finally turned around to see something which took my breath away even more than the view of my city.

Oh my god.

Tears began to well in my eyes as I found myself looking down on Anakin knelt down on one knee, presenting a gorgeous ring to me with an incredibly nervous expression pasted onto his face.

"Anakin-" I began, my breath hitching in my throat as I failed to find any words to speak.

"Queen (y/n) Anara, I have been utterly and totally in love with you ever since I first laid eyes on you. I never expected that the woman I was instructed to protect would come to be the person I valued and loved the most in this entire galaxy. Over the time we have spent together, I have had the privilege of getting to know you and fall in love with everything about you. I have been there for your highs, and your lows; and the moments we have spent together have undoubtedly been the best of my entire life. With your acceptance, I promise to continue to love, aid and protect you for the rest of our lives... My Princess, will you marry me?"

I felt my heart beat aggressively in my throat, my eyes clouding with tears as I looked down at the man whom I loved with the entirety of my heart and soul. I frantically tried to search for words, none coming out of my mouth every time I opened it to speak. I panicked as I saw Anakin grow worried, gulping in anticipation of my response.

Smiling, I kneeled down and cupped his cheek in my hand, leaning in and placing a gentle but loving kiss on his lips. After a moment, I pulled away and rested my forehead on his, staring adoringly into his blue eyes.

"Yes. A thousand times yes!" I managed to blurt out, the both of us laughing as a few tears escaped from my eyes.

Anakin helped me up, beaming at me with an uncontrollable smile as I held out my left hand. He took my hand gently in his and quickly slid the ring on my finger. I stretched out my arm for us both to look at it before turning back to look at each other. He took me into his arms, holding me securely as we both looked out onto the city, the sun finally set behind the hills.

~•☾❤︎☽•~

a/n : I did it! IT FINALLY HAPPENED!! I hope you all enjoyed this and it was worth the wait as I loved writing it! I plan to get a lot of chapters out from now on as I have actually figured out on which chapter that this book will unfortunately be coming to a close on... we still have a bit to go but it is soon! I'll be sad to end it but of course I am also excited to be getting into some new projects I have planned for you all!

I also want to thank you all for 15k reads and 900+ votes! To me that is absolutely INSANE and I genuinely owe you guys so much! Thank you for reading my book, commenting, sharing your support and love for my writing and characters... it means the world to me and I love you all so much. Thank you also to my silent readers, I also appreciate you all a great deal <3

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I love you all SO much!

- heather <3